Janice Ozene (Johnson) Bales, daughter of the late James L. and Emma S. (Canada) Johnson, was born in Cold Springs, Sep. 16, 1926, and went to be with the Lord June 28, 2020. She passed from this life surrounded by family at her home in Mount Ararat at 93 years, 9 months and 12 days of age. Janice married Harry C. Bales and together they raised their children, Rose Marie, Cecelia and David as a military family.
She was active in Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron during that time. Janice was an excellent seamstress and after retiring from hairdressing business, she joined a quilt club, the YMCA and continued being a homemaker. She was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church in Mountain Grove, and in her later years, attended Mount Ararat Missionary Baptist Church, which was closer to her home. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. Besides her parents, Janice was preceded in death by her husband of over 75 years, Harry Bales; her brothers, DC and Otto; her sisters, Gwendola, Ava Ruth, Norma Lucille, Velma Emma and Lillian Edwina; and one grandson, Darin Amos. She is survived by her children, Rose Marie Cobb, H. Cecelia Driver and David P. Bales; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews; and other relatives, neighbors and friends. Harry and Janice Bales were interred together at the Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery, Springfield, after a private family graveside service with full military honors by the United States Air Force on July 1, 2020. Arrangements were under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
